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Details Of Innovation
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In Saurashtra and North Gujarat, a common problem while harvesting groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) is the breakage of pods right in the ground. In fact, the farmers of Sabarkantha, harvest the crop by irrigating the field before the actual harvesting is done. This helps in pulling out the plants easily. However, this practice also does not solve the problem of breaking of pods. Many farmers and workers have tried innovative practices to overcome the problem. Babubhai Davada, a blacksmith of farm implements by profession, residing at Lakhapadar village in Amreli district, had once witnessed groundnut-harvesting. He saw that the farmers had tied a cloth along with "santi" (hoe) to pull out broken pods. He then visualised a circular ring with spikes attached to the hoe, especially for groundnut-harvesting. Using his own ingenuity, eventually, Davada fixed, not one, but nine to ten rings with spiky wires on a rod. He tested the implement: The spikes pierced the ground four to six inches and the pods came out easily. It thus became easy to collect groundnut pods intact. Babubhais invention quickly caught the imagination of the local farmers. The use of the new implement has been increasing in the last three years. Besides, this groundnut harvester costs only Rs. 55 to Rs. 60. (A few years ago, SRISTI had organized a workshop of artisans working on farm implements. The workshop brought forth many successful and unsuccessful efforts. It was realized that the endeavour itself was worth the effort.)
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